FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEKLY FEATURES

Week 5 Injury Update #1 Philip Gentles
October 3, 2006

Reggie Brown, WR, PHI
Unspecified Shoulder Injury

Huddle Up: Eagles' WR Reggie Brown left Monday night's game against the Packers with an unspecified right shoulder injury and his status for Week 5 is in question. Brown was hurt after falling on his shoulder while making a catch in the fourth quarter. He immediately got up holding his right arm and he left the field in a tremendous amount of pain. After being examined on the sideline he was reportedly taken to the locker room for X-rays. An update on his status will be made at some point today so keep checking the news wire for a report.

Laveranues Coles, WR, NYJ
Bruised Shoulder

Huddle Up: According to reports Jets' WR Laveranues Coles appears to be OK after bruising his shoulder during Sunday's game against the Colts. Coles was hurt on the Jets' final desperation play of the game. It is unclear how the injury occurred but he was seen holding his right arm while in a tremendous amount of pain. He was later seen wearing a sling and he was reportedly taken for precautionary X-rays, which came back negative. The Jets' aren't very forthcoming with injury information but Coles looked fine on Monday. He spoke with several media members and his shoulder and arm appeared to be OK. An update on his status will be made by the medical staff following Wednesday's practice but at this point it looks like he will be available for the Jets' Week 5 game.

Reuben Droughns, RB, CLE
Bruised Acromioclavicular Joint

Huddle Up: Browns' RB Reuben Droughns, who was inactive in Week 3 because of a shoulder injury, was cleared to play in Sunday's game and rushed for over 100 yards. Unfortunately he aggravated his injured shoulder and he will be limited in practice this week. According to reports Droughns is dealing with a bruised AC (Acromioclavicular) joint and his shoulder was reportedly very sore on Monday morning. Prior to Sunday's game team officials were reporting that Droughns had shown signs of improvement, unfortunately by aggravating the injury he has taken a big step back in his recovery. We'll keep you posted.

Brett Favre, QB, GB
Shoulder Stinger

Huddle Up: Packers' veteran QB Brett Favre suffered what the team is calling a shoulder stinger after being hit in fourth quarter of Monday night's game against the Eagles. Favre was hit hard and driven to the ground after throwing a pass late in the fourth quarter and was helped up and off the field by teammates. He reportedly complained of numbness and a loss of strength in his right shoulder, arm and hand and was replaced by Aaron Rogers. The injury is not considered serious and if an evaluation fails to indicate an additional injury he should be OK for Week 5. But don't be surprised if he is held out of practice until Thursday or Friday.

Ahman Green, RB, GB
Bilateral Hamstring Strains

Huddle Up: The Packers' decided to deactivate RB Ahman Green after watching him struggle running prior to Monday night's game. Green, who was already dealing a strained hamstring, pulled the other hamstring in practice on Friday and according to reports the team was concerned that injury could become a bigger problem if he was allowed to take the field against the Eagles. Green will likely be limited in practice this week and his availability for Week 5 won't be known until gameday.

Cedric Houston, RB, NYJ
Hyperextended Knee

Huddle Up: Jets' RB Cedric Houston could be out for an extended period of time after hyperextending his left knee during Sunday's game against the Colts. According to reports Houston was hurt when he was tackled by a Colts' defender on a goal line carry in the third quarter. Houston grabbed his leg and remained on the ground for several minutes before being helped to the sideline by the team's medical staff and carted to the locker room. An MRI was performed on his knee on Monday but the results have not been made public. The Jets' do not address specifics in regards to injured players, but team officials have said that they will have an update on Houston's status following Wednesday's practice.

Matt Jones, WR, JAX
Strained Hamstring and Groin

Huddle Up: Jaguars' WR Matt Jones, who was already dealing with a strained groin, injured his hamstring during Sunday's game against the Redskins and according to head coach Jack Del Rio he might not play next weekend against the Jets. Del Rio did not say how Jones pulled his hamstring but there is a good chance that he was hurt trying to compensate for his injured groin. He probably won't practice with the team this week and there appears to be a good chance that he will be held out of next weekend's game against the Jets.

Jerious Norwood, RB, ATL
Shoulder Stinger

Huddle Up: According to reports Falcons' RB Jerious Norwood suffered a shoulder stinger in the first half of Sunday's game against the Cardinals, but after being held out for several minutes he was able to return to the field and was extremely productive. Head coach Jim Mora Jr. told reporters that Norwood was hurt during a kickoff in the first half. He apparently began to complain of radiating down his shoulder and arm, but remained in the game and took part in the another kickoff. But Mora said that Norwood began to lose feeling and strength in his arm and he was taken to the locker room for treatment. He began feeling fine early in the second half and he was allowed back in the game half way through the third quarter. The Falcons' aren't concerned about this injury and they expect him to be completely healthy when they return in Week 6 from their bye.

Donte Stallworth, WR, PHI
Strained Hamstring

Huddle Up: Eagles' WR Donte Stallworth started Monday night's game despite being limited in practice with a strained hamstring. Unfortunately Stallworth aggravated his hamstring injury and he was unable to finish the game. According to reports Stallworth was seen walking with a limp following the game and it looks like his status for Week 5 is in question. He probably won't practice this week and a decision on his availability for next Sunday probably won't be made until moments before kickoff.

Ben Utecht, TE, IND
Back Contusion

Huddle Up: Colts' TE Ben Utecht missed the second half of Sunday's game after suffering what the team is calling a back contusion. Utecht was reportedly hurt when he was hit in the back by helmet of an opposing player. Head coach Tony Dungy told reporters following the game that Utecht was in a lot of pain following the game and that he was "very, very questionable" for next weekend's game against the Titans. A lot can happen between now and next Sunday but it sounds like the Dungy isn't expecting Utecht to be ready in time for their next game.

Brian Westbrook, RB, PHI
Knee Inflammation

Huddle Up: Eagles' RB Brian Westbrook was inactive for last night's game against the Packers because of problems with his injured knee. Westbrook has been dealing with inflammation in his knee for over 2 weeks now but until last night he's found a way to play and be productive through the injury. After missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday he was able to take the field with the team on Friday. However according to reports his knee was very swollen on Saturday morning and he had trouble running on Sunday and early Monday. The Eagles' medical staff didn't want to risk making the injury worse so they decided to keep him out of Monday night's game. The Huddle continues to receive unconfirmed reports that Westbrook is dealing with a cartilage probable. If these reports are accurate this will be an issue until the injury is addressed and he is given ample time to recover. We've been warning you about this so hopefully you've already taken the necessary precautions.